Capsule for preparing a beverage

ABSTRACT

The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body closed on the upper side by a lid. The main feature of the present invention consists in the fact that the capsule presents in its inside a plurality of infusion chambers each provided with a respective area for the inlet of a water flow and each provided with a respective area for the outlet of the infusion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a capsule for preparing a beverage of the infusion type.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, when one wants to prepare a beverage by infusion formed by mixing at least two products (for example, to prepare a cappuccino which, as well known consists of coffee and milk foam) is used a capsule or a chamber in which products are already mixed or a capsule in which are defined two chambers, one for each product and one overlapping the other. For the two chambered capsules in use hot water under pressure is channeled in the upper chamber so as to create a first infusion with the first product and then through the openings the first infusion is channeled towards the second chamber so as to mix with the second product to create the beverage. It seems obvious that if coffee and milk are used as products, the outcoming beverage from the capsule is not a real cappuccino but rather a normal milk and coffee. In fact, a real cappuccino involves separate preparation of coffee and of a milk foam, which are then always poured separately in a cup.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a capsule for preparing a beverage that is free from the above drawbacks.

According to the present invention a capsule is provided for preparing a beverage of the type comprising a cup-shaped body closed at the top by a lid, characterized in that it has a plurality of infusion chambers in its inside each provided with a respective area for the inlet of a water flow and each provided with a respective area for the outlet of the infusion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention an embodiment is herein described purely by way of illustration and not of limitation with the aid of the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views according to different angles of a capsule; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partial and in section of a capsule inserted in a percolation chamber.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, indicated as a whole with 1 is a capsule comprising a cup-shaped body 2 closed on the upper side by a lid 3 in the form of a disc. The cup-shaped body 2 presents a lateral wall 4 with cylindrical shape and a base wall 5. One intermediate wall 6, which divides the inside of said cup-shaped body 2 into two infusion chambers 7 and 8, is present inside the cup-shaped body 2 and is integral with the base wall 5, from which it extends parallel to the lateral wall 4. The chamber 7 is delimited at the bottom by a central portion 11 of the base wall 5 and laterally by the inner face of the intermediate wall 6. The chamber 8 is concentric to the chamber 7 and is delimited at the bottom by an annular portion 12 of the base wall 5 and laterally by the outer face of the intermediate wall 6 and by the inner face of the lateral wall 4. In the central portion 11 of the base wall 5 a first outlet area is obtained which in this embodiment is defined by a plurality of through holes 13 distributed according to a plurality of circumferences. In the annular portion 12 of the base wall 5 a second outlet area is obtained which in this embodiment is defined by a plurality of through holes 14 distributed according to a circumference. Two annular projections 15 and 16 originate from the outer face of the base wall 5 and extend downwards. The projection 15 is next to the intermediate wall 6 and delimits the aforementioned first outlet area. While the projection 16 is substantially a continuation of the lower end of the lateral wall 4 and together with the projection 15 delimits the aforementioned second outlet area. The lateral wall 4 at its upper end has an annular edge 17 of thickness greater than the remaining part of the same wall 4; the edge 17 extending from the outer face of the wall 4.

The lid 3 has two annular thickenings 18 and 21 that define in the lid 3, two portions 22 and 23. The thickening 18 is formed along the peripheral edge of the lid 3 and with the lid 3 mounted it abuts against an annular projection 24 obtained on the inner face of the lateral wall 4 near the upper end thereof. The thickening 21 is concentric to the thickening 18 and with lid 3 mounted it ends up near the upper end of the intermediate wall 6. In the portion 22, which is central and which is delimited by thickening 18, is defined a first inlet area. In the portion 23, which is annular and which is delimited between the two thickenings 22 and 23, is defined a second inlet area. The first inlet area has a plurality of through holes 25 uniformly distributed and the second inlet area has a plurality of through holes 26 uniformly distributed along the portion 23.

As can be seen, with the lid mounted inside the capsule 1, were defined the two chambers 7 and 8 which are separated from one another and substantially sealed in a fluid-tight manner with respect to each other; each chamber 7 and 8 housing a predetermined quantity of a respective infusion. The chamber 7 is delimited at the bottom by the portion 11 of the base wall 5, laterally by the inner face of the intermediate wall 6 and at the top by the portion 22 of the lid 3. Is to be highlighted that after assembly of the lid 3, the peripheral edge of the portion 22 near the thickening 21 abuts against the upper end of the intermediate wall 6 therefore obtaining a substantial seal in a fluid-tight manner between the chamber 7 and the chamber 8.

The chamber 8 is delimited at the bottom by the portion 15 of the base wall 5, laterally by the outer face of the intermediate wall 6 and by the inner face of the lateral wall 4 and on the upper side by the portion 23 of the lid 3. To be highlighted is that the inner face of the lateral wall 4 is slightly flared upwards and the diameter of the lid 3 is such that after assembly the peripheral edge of the, lid 3 is pressed with force upon the inner face of the lateral wall 4 so as to obtain a seal in a fluid-tight manner of the chamber 8.

In essence, the capsule 1 has two separate chambers 7 and 8 sealed in a fluid-tight manner with respect to each other and each chamber 7 and 8 has a respective area for the inlet of a fluid and a respective area for the outlet of a fluid.

With reference to FIG. 3 in use the capsule 1 is inserted into a percolation element 30 which comprises a lower cup-shaped body 31 having a base wall 32 and a cylindrical lateral wall 33. The element 30 also comprises a plate 34 covering the upper edge of the lateral wall 33. The element 30 thus defines a percolation chamber 35 delimited at the bottom by the inner face of the base wall 32, laterally by the inner face of the lateral wall 33 and on the upper side by the inner face of the covering plate 34. As can be seen from FIG. 3, as capsule 1 is inserted in the percolation chamber 35, the plate 34 is pressed upon the thickenings 18 and 21 creating a seal between the two inlet areas defined in the lid 3 of the capsule 1. The plate 34 is also pressed against the upper edge of the lateral wall 33, the edge 17 of the capsule 1. In this way a seal from the percolation chamber 35 towards the exterior is obtained. Finally always in FIG. 3 it can be seen that the projections 15 and 16 abut against the inner face of the base wall 32 of the body 31 obtaining both a seal in a fluid-tight manner between the two mentioned outlet areas of the capsule 1 and from the same towards the space defined between the outer surface of the capsule 1 and the percolation chamber 35.

In the plate 34 two through holes 36 and 37 are obtained of which the hole 36 has a lower end which is to be in correspondence with the portion 22 of the lid 3 and therefore of the above-mentioned first inlet area of the capsule 1. In particular, the hole 36 is obtained aligned with the longitudinal axis of the chamber 35 and therefore of the capsule 1. The. hole 37 has a lower end which is in correspondence with the portion 23 of the lid 3 and therefore of the aforementioned second inlet area of the capsule 1. The base wall 32 of the body 31 also presents two through holes 38 and 41 of which the hole 38 has an upper end that is brought into correspondence with the aforementioned first outlet area of the capsule 1 and a lower end that leads outside the percolation chamber 35. In particular, the hole 38 is obtained aligned with the hole 36. The hole 41 has an upper end that is brought into correspondence with the aforementioned second outlet area of the capsule 1 and a lower end which leads outside the percolation chamber 35. In particular, the hole 41 is obtained aligned with the hole 37.

If the holes 36 and 37 are fed with a respective and separate water flow it is possible to define two distinct channels one for each infusion injected into the capsule 1. The first channel provides the hole 36, the chamber 7 and the hole 38. The second channel provides the hole 37, the chamber 8 and the hole 41. This division of the channels involves the possibility of feeding at the same time the two channels so that the two flows of water, once meeting the corresponding infusion, are then mixed into a container placed underneath the percolation element 30. Or the division of the channels may lead a first water flow along a first channel and subsequently a second water flow along the second channel so that the second flow passing through the second infusion falls in the container which already contains the first water flow passing through the first infusion. Ultimately the two infusions can mix in the aforementioned container or while they are being channeled in the container itself or in subsequent times.

It is evident that it is possible to define inside the capsule 1 a greater number of chambers and this allows the possibility not only to use multiple infusions (one per chamber) but also with the same capsule 1 decide which mixture of infusions may constitute the beverage. In fact it can be expected to select which channels are to be fed with the corresponding water flow, with which flow rate and at what temperature.

A further variant may provide the absence of the thickening 21 in the lid 3, and therefore the water flow towards the inlet areas of the capsule 1 may provide a single hole between the holes 36 and 37 as the main feature is to provide two distinct outlet areas from the capsule 1 one for each infusion.

Finally it should be outlined that in some or all of the infusion chambers at the respective outlet areas can be installed a respective filter to prevent leakage of the infusion.

From that above described are evident numerous advantages achieved with the embodiment of the present invention.

In particular a capsule with several chambers (an infusion per chamber) is provided which allows a channeling of a water flow for each chamber of the capsule. It appears obvious that if for example an infusion is defined by coffee powder and the second infusion is defined by milk powder or liquid milk the beverage obtained is a real cappuccino and not a normal milk and coffee. It is to be emphasized that it is possible to select the flow rate of water flow for each channel; flow rate that depends on the number and extent of holes 25 and 26 obtained in the lid 3. It also appears clear that with infusion chambers with annular development the capsule can be installed in the percolation element without the need to have a predefine installation direction. Finally, for capsules with a number of chambers of more than two units, it is possible to select which chambers are to be engaged by the water flow. 

1. A capsule for preparing a beverage of the type comprising a cup-shaped body (2) closed on the upper side by a lid (3), characterised in that it presents, in its inside, a plurality of infusion chambers (7 and 8), each of which is provided with a respective area for the inlet of a water flow and each of which is provided with a respective area for the outlet of the infusion.
 2. A capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that said infusion chambers (7 and 8) are sealed in a fluid-tight manner with respect to each other.
 3. A capsule according to claim 1 and/or 2, characterised in that said cup-shaped body (2) presents a lateral wall (4) with cylindrical shape and a base wall (5); at least one intermediate wall (6), which divides the inside of said cup-shaped body (2) into said infusion chambers (7 and 8), being present inside the cup-shaped body (2) and being made as one single piece together with said base wall (5), from which it extends parallel to said lateral wall (4).
 4. A capsule according to claim 3, characterised in that said base wall (5) presents a plurality of first through holes (13 and 14), and characterised in that a plurality of annular projections (15 and 16), which originate from the outer face of said base wall (5) and extend downwards, separate some of said first holes (13) from other said first holes (14), so as to define a plurality of areas for the outlet of the infusions; said outlet areas being provided one for each one of said infusion chambers (7 and 8).
 5. A capsule according to claim 4, characterised in that said lid (3) presents a plurality of second through holes (25 and 26), and characterised in that said lid (3) presents a plurality of annular thickenings (18 and 21), which separate some of said second holes (25) from other said second holes (26), so as to define a plurality of areas for the inlet of the water flow; said inlet areas being provided one for each one of said infusion chambers (7 and 8).
 6. A capsule according to claim 5, characterised in that said lid (3) abuts against said intermediate walls (6), so as to define a fluid-tight seal between said infusion chambers (7 and 8).
 7. A percolation element comprising a percolation chamber (35), which houses a capsule of the type claimed in any of the claims from 1 to 6, characterised in that said percolation chamber (35) presents a plurality of water flow inlets (36 and 37), one for each one of said infusion chambers (7 and 8), and a plurality of outlets (38 and 41), one for each one of said infusion chambers (7 and 8). 